Building #19 is closing its doors

The Hingham-based, 10-store Building #19 chain has filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Boston. Building #19 is seeking permission to hire a liquidation consultant and close its 10 stores by Dec. 8, bringing to an end nearly a half-century of “Good Stuff. Cheap.”

The sign in the window of Building #19 in Weymouth read “Friendly Neighbors Since 1964.” Now, the neighbors are moving out. On Friday, Building #19 and affiliated companies filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Boston. Building #19 is seeking permission to hire a liquidation consultant and close its 10 stores by Dec. 8, bringing to an end nearly a half-century of “Good Stuff. Cheap.”

Competition from Internet retailers and a lack of cash to pick up new inventory are the reasons cited in the company’s 14-page bankruptcy filing.

Jerry Ellis, a former appliance salesman who co-founded the chain with Harry Andler, mentioned the online competition in an interview with The Patriot Ledger last year.

“(We’ve) been affected seriously by the Internet, where an awful lot of goods are sold sight unseen,” Ellis said.

Shoppers interviewed outside the store Sunday said they were surprised by the closing plans, although some of the regulars said they could see it coming.

“I’ve noticed in the last six to eight months they’re not getting the good-quality merchandise,” Joann Egan of Rockland said.

Egan said she’d miss the store, where she has shopped since it was in its original location in the old Hingham Shipyard.

“I love coming here and getting good bargains,” she said.

Alice Carlson of Bridgewater loaded up on Halloween decorations at 75 percent off for a planned party next year and some other items for a church Christmas fair. News of the chain’s closing disappointed her.

“Ocean State Job Lot does give them competition, but this is a fun store,” Carlson said. “You never know what you’ll find.”

Nancy Barry of Quincy was doing some early Christmas shopping for her family.

Chris Lovett, who recently moved from North Quincy to Mission Hill, said he’d go to Building #19 to buy rugs whenever he changed addresses.

“It’s just been a fixture for a long time,” Lovett said, “but you can’t keep a business going on rugs. There’s no magic carpet.”

Building #19 was an original, no-frills retailer. Many of the store’s display cases were unfinished plywood, and some were propped up on cinder blocks. It billed itself as “America’s Laziest and Messiest Department Store.”

Inside the store, there was a forest of artificial Christmas trees at the back, while up front there were framed photos of the World Champion Boston Red Sox of 1918, 2004 and 2007.

The company specialized in salvage goods, overstocks, surplus and irregular merchandise. It was known for the comic touches in its sale circulars and wearing its cheapness as a badge of honor. It offered a bottle of champagne to shoppers who could find a lower price.

Page 2 of 2 - In the bankruptcy filing, the company says a “decline in sales and the resulting losses” has eroded its working capital and ability to bring in new merchandise.

“Building 19’s lack of working capital impaired its ability to capitalize on erratic opportunities to purchase inventory,” the company’s lawyers wrote.

About 100 people work for the company, which is still based in the former Hingham Shipyard, although in a different building. It got its name from the number of its original building in the shipyard.

The original store moved to Derby Street in the late 1970s, and later to Weymouth. Andler died in 1978.

In addition to Weymouth, the chain has locations in Hanover and Norwood, and in Rhode Island and New Hampshire.